Ace of Diamond: Return of the Pitcher

As he spoke, Sawamura Eijun's steps involuntarily quickened.

On the other hand, Miyuki Kazuya, upon hearing Sawamura's words, slowed down his pace.

After slowing his pace, Miyuki found himself falling behind Sawamura. From this angle, he could clearly see Sawamura's back.

This was the first time Miyuki had truly observed Sawamura's back.

Although the two had been teammates for quite some time, opportunities like this were rare.

Both of them were busy.

On one hand, they had to hone their skills. On the other, they needed to guide their teammates and friends around them.

Miyuki, as the team captain, was also burdened with the responsibility of overseeing some matters in the team.

Whenever they were together, it was usually to work on developing Sawamura's different types of pitches.

When would they have the leisure to chat? Or take a walk together?

Let alone observe each other's backs.

Such moments were too extravagant for the two of them.

To be honest, this was Miyuki's first time so intently watching Sawamura's back.

As Sawamura walked ahead, his shadow stretched long under the light.

"What's wrong?"

After walking for a while, Sawamura realized that Miyuki had not caught up. He turned his head and asked.

Miyuki quickened his pace and caught up to Sawamura.

"Do you the opponent really as scary as they said?"

The fact that Sawamura was so interested in their upcoming opponent suggested that their strength was no small matter.

Miyuki was eager to know how Sawamura would assess the team they would face tomorrow.

The question caught Sawamura off guard.

He fell into a brief silence upon hearing it.

How could he evaluate the American Dream Team?

After a brief hesitation, Sawamura finally gave a bitter smile.

"To be honest, I don't really know about that."

Sawamura spoke without a trace of modesty.

He genuinely wasn't sure about the Dream Team's strength.

Before, the only things Sawamura had heard about the Dream Team were rumors his teammates told him or feedback from fans.

In short, it was all so exaggerated!!!

It seemed like there was no team in the world that could rival them.

Sawamura knew very well that there must have been some exaggeration in those stories.

However, some statistics couldn't be fabricated.

"The American Dream Team has always represented America in their age group. Since the team was formed, they've never lost.

No matter how big the stage, or which team of the same age group from around the world they faced, they have never been defeated.

Chris-senpai said while they didn't play against the American team in the U18, they were dreading them, he also said they won against every team they faced with an at least 5 Runs difference."

Although the praise might have been exaggerated, the statistics should be true.

Later, the reason why Allen was regarded as a legend at such a young age was largely due to this glory period.

If it weren't for his later injuries, perhaps Allen would have become an unprecedented and unparalleled superstar.

He was also the only opponent and target that Sawamura truly acknowledged.

No matter what, Sawamura didn't want to lose to Allen.

Having the opportunity to challenge the American Dream Team, he certainly wouldn't let it slip away.

"They're that strong?"

The information wasn't just received by Sawamura.

Deputy Director Takashima also got the same information.

However, she was afraid that it would affect the morale of the Seidou High baseball team's players, so she didn't make the information public.

Still, some players found out about the Dream Team's legendary experience through indirect means.

In the break room, Kuramochi rolled his eyes as he overheard his teammates reading articles.

The intelligence of the New York Manhattan Academy team sounded just like Sawamura's legendary experience.

'It is kind of hard to believe!'

Who would've thought that there was such a dominant team in America?

The nine key players of their team were all so dazzling.

The scene shifted back to Sawamura and Miyuki.

"Do you have confidence in facing such an opponent?"

Miyuki casually looked at Sawamura.

Sawamura didn't directly answer Miyuki's question but instead turned it around and asked, "What about you? As our Captain, what do you think of tomorrow's game?"

Miyuki hesitated a bit and then said.

"I analyzed it with Watanabe, and the results show that our chances of winning are less than 20%."

20%!

Sawamura was somewhat surprised by this result.

It wasn't that Watanabe and Miyuki underestimated Seidou. On the contrary, Sawamura thought they were overestimating their team.

In Sawamura's view, if Seidou had a 10% chance of winning, that would already be very good.

"We acknowledge the opponent's strength, but we also have our advantages."

"Oh!"

Miyuki's words piqued Sawamura's interest.

He truly couldn't see where Seidou High's baseball team had any advantage.

If you were to pull out the players from Seidou and face off with the New York Manhattan Academy team one-on-one,

Only the pitcher and catcher would be somewhat competitive.

In every other position, they would be at a huge disadvantage.

Truth be told, the overall strength of Seidou's baseball team wasn't that strong.

Don't even compare them to the Dream Team, even comparing them to the Los Angeles team would show a significant disadvantage.

"Don't forget, we have the strongest Ace!"

After saying this, Miyuki looked at Sawamura with intense eyes.

For some reason, Sawamura felt a warm flow spread through his chest.

He admitted that he was moved by those words.

For himself, and for the teammates of Seidou's baseball team,

He was determined to give his all in tomorrow's game.

"Don't look at me like that. I'm not interested in boys."

"Shut up!!"

The night passed without a word, and the next day arrived.

Seidou High's baseball team took a bus to the game venue.

Upon arrival, they were stunned!

The outside of the venue was completely empty.

Not a single person was in sight.

"Wasn't there a good number of spectators last time we played?"

"Who knows, maybe they couldn't make it this time!"

"It's Monday, even in America, people have to work, right?"

A match without any spectators was something the Seidou High baseball team wasn't used to.

Ever since they became the national champions, even during practice matches, there were usually quite a few spectators around.

A match like this, with no one paying attention, felt completely abnormal.

Sawamura and Miyuki, who were lagging behind the team, exchanged a surprised glance.

They could both read the incredulity in each other's eyes.

Even though the American audience was missing, this game was being broadcast live.

Tokyo TV and several online media outlets had sent reporters over.

Even if the fans weren't watching the game, the reporters should still be here for interviews.

If they weren't interviewing, then why did they come all the way here? Did they think they were on a sponsored vacation?

Although both were puzzled, neither of them voiced their doubts.

They just followed the others and walked into the stadium.

Once they entered the stadium, they were stunned by the scene before them…

The baseball stadium, which could hold 60,000 people, was packed to the brim.

The place was completely filled.

Most of these people were quiet, with more than half of them looking down at their smartphones.

Occasionally, there was some chatter, but because of the excellent soundproofing, it was hard to hear clearly from outside the stadium.

"Are we really this popular?"

Kuramochi was puzzled.

Such scenes were familiar to them when they played in Tokyo.

But this was America, half a world away.

How could they possibly be this popular?

"Stop dreaming. These guys aren't here to welcome us."

Miyuki had already sensed that something was off.

Sawamura, upon hearing this, looked at Miyuki in surprise.

He hadn't expected his partner to be so perceptive.

These people were definitely not here to see them. They were here for the Dream Team.

In fact, the Dream Team couldn't really be considered in the same generation as the Seidou High School Baseball Team.

Many of their players were already over 18 years old and had signed professional baseball teams.

The legend of the Dream Team was already in the past.

If it weren't for Robert and the sponsors being so supportive and wanting to arrange such a game, it would have been nearly impossible.

In fact, when the Seidou High School Baseball Team sent an invitation to the New York Manhattan Academy team, they were initially rejected.

They couldn't even get the Dream Team together, how could they play a game?

But money talks.

In the end, thanks to Robert's persistence and generous funding, the event finally came together.

For American fans, this was indeed a momentous event.

After almost a year, they were going to see the Dream Team play again.

They were absolutely thrilled!

This, too, was a reason behind the scene before them.

Additionally, there was another factor that had to be mentioned.

That was the Seidou High School Baseball Team's tour across America.

Initially, they hadn't caught much attention from the American baseball scene, and most fans hadn't noticed them.

But after their continuous victories, especially when they defeated Texas, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, American fans began to realize the situation—this was a real threat.

Therefore, they became more curious about the Seidou High School Baseball Team.

A game between the Dream Team and such a team naturally became highly anticipated.

Not long after, the players from the New York team, led by their Coach, entered the stadium.

The moment they stepped onto the field, the 60,000-seat stadium erupted like a boiling pot.

"MANHATTAN!"

"MANHATTAN!!!"

"ALLEN!!"

"ALLEN!!!!!"

"BILL!!!!!!"

The fans passionately cheered, shouting the names of the players on the field.

It felt as though they were transmitting their energy to the players.

Up until now, the Seidou High School Baseball Team had been dominating their opponents.

At the very least, with Sawamura on their side, they had been able to outshine their competitors in terms of crowd support.

But now, the Seidou team truly understood what it meant to play an away game in hostile territory.

They were utterly passive!!!

It felt as though the whole world was filled with hostility toward them.

"I finally understand why the teams we played against were so upset when they lost..."

Kuramochi muttered through clenched teeth.

In situations like this, players generally have two responses.

Either they get scared stiff, or they become defiant.

It was probably going to be difficult to scare these players into paralysis.

So the only real response would be defiance.

The Seidou High School Baseball Team felt their spirit flare up.

One by one, they became fired up, ready to fight to the end.

In stark contrast were the players from the Dream Team.

They were calm and composed, seemingly not regarding the Seidou High School team as a real threat.

Kataoka, who was looking at all of this suddenly spoke.

"Miyuki, Do it!!"

The Captain of Seidou who heard this was also thinking the same thing and gestured for his team to gather around.

Seidou players, knowing what it means gathered around silently.

Almost all of the audience watching this was a bit confused when they saw Seidou players gather around in a circle.

But the people on the other side of the screens in Japan didn't!

Many of them, even the rivals of Seidou, wished to be there at that moment to roar and fight.

For many of the people in Japan, this could be the peak of Youth!

When all the players gathered, Miyuki who was with the team said a few words.

"The team standing in front of us is the strongest team in the world in our generation."

Miyuki's statement was met with no objections from the Seidou team.

They had watched videos of the Dream Team's games, and they recognized the strength of their opponents.

"Do you know what this means?"

Miyuki pointed to his chest and looked around at his teammates.

His teammates all eagerly looked at him.

They didn't know, but they were willing to believe Miyuki's words.

"It Means That If We Defeat Them, We Will Be The Strongest Team In The World!!"

Seidou players heard this and smiled.

The best in the world!

Which of these youths didn't want something like that?

All the training they did, all the emotions they invested, wasn't it to be the best?

What can be better than the best in the world?

"Not Only That!" Miyuki continued,

"We Can Do Something Not Only Our Senpais Couldn't Do, It May Even Be A Thing No One After Us Can!"

"Now, Do You Think You Can Do It?!"

"YEEEEEAAAAHHHH!!!!!!!!"

At his question, all the players felt their Fighting Spirit breaking through the sky!

It was at times like this where they could prove their sweat and effort weren't in vain.

So of course, they would do it!

The sudden loud roar took everyone watching by surprise.

"What are they doing!"

"Is it some kind of prep talk?"

"But why shouting like that?"

"Idiot! This is their style! Didn't you watch their games?"

"I did! But I didn't see anything like that."

"Because you always skip to the pitching."

"Well, it sounds fun!"

The players on the other side are watching with a bit of interest.

And at their nonchalant gazes, the spirit of the Seidou players also soared.

"THESE GUYS ARE NOW WATCHING, No The Whole World Is Now Watching! Let Them See What Are We Made Of!!"

"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!"

"BUT FIRST TELL THEM!"

"WHO ARE WE?!!!"

"KIIIIING!!! SEIDOUUUU!!!!!!"

"WHO SHED SWEAT MORE THAN ANYONE?!!!"

"SEIDOUUUU!!!!!!!"

"WHO SHED TEARS MORE THAN ANYONE?!!!!"

"SEIDOUUUUU!!!!!!!!!"

"ARE YOU READY TO FIGHT?!!!!!!!"

"OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!"

"BEARING PRIDE IN OUR HEARTS, WE ONLY HAVE ONE GOAL! THE BEST IN THE WORLD! LET'S GO!!"

"OOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!"

The boys roared to the world declaring their ambition!

To Be The Best In The World!

...

T/N: Their eyes are set at the peak.

As always, Thank you all for reading!!

Have a good day people!

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